arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

Women's International Coalition for Economic Justice Opposes Attack on Iraq, and War on Many Fronts
March 25, 2003

"We know that this is not only a war that hurts the people of Iraq—it is a war that hurts our peoples as well."

As women from all regions of the world, we are outraged by the US-led invasion of Iraq. For months we have joined people around the world opposing this action by every peaceful democratic means. We are appalled that war is being waged despite clear proof that the majority of world opinion and the weight of international law is against it. A pre-emptive strike of this kind is in clear violation of the United Nation's principles laid down in its Charter.

As concerned women, we are deeply aware that waging war does not bring peace, and spending on arms-- rather than basic Human Rights like food, shelter and healthcare-- does not bring security. As concerned women, we have experienced in our bodies the effects of modern warfare, which is not clean and precise, but in fact means death and dislocation. We know how a male-centered, militaristic culture utilizes women in conflicts for power—from the reliance on women's labor to maintain fatherless families and rebuild war-torn nations, to loss of public services and economic and social rights when resources are diverted, to the prostitutes around military bases, to the abuse of women within the military, to rape of women in war.

As women around the world we deplore all forms of terror, including this attack in which so many Iraqi people—women, men, youth and children-- will suffer. At this time we offer special support to Iraqi women in our collective struggle for world peace.

We know that this is not only a war that hurts the people of Iraq—it is a war that hurts our peoples as well. As additional nations commit troops and resources to this war, critical social programs and development aid are sacrificed, which also lead to death for many around the globe.

This is a struggle for global power that can turn into a broader war and transform geopolitical relationships in dangerous ways. No matter what the outcome in Iraq, we have already lost much, because raw power is trumping reason, diplomacy and the rule of law.

As concerned women, we know that war and military expenditure undermine our work to secure economic justice for all peoples. This is not merely a war about a despised dictator and his weapons, but a grab for empire, and a challenge to all those forces--including key allies and economic trading partners, defiant Southern nations, or struggling peoples-- who would oppose it. In that sense, the war unfolding in Iraq, with the threat of future wars against Iran, Syria and North Korea, is inextricably linked to war in Colombia, the Philippines, Afghanistan, civil wars in Africa, and throughout the world. The repression against those opposing privatization and struggling for land and water rights from Bolivia to Ghana to South Africa, or for the right to scavenge garbage as a livelihood in Argentina—battles born of International Monetary Fund and World Bank policies—are also part of this broader war.

As a coalition of women working for human rights and economic justice, we say "no" to war and "yes" to peace. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing international conflicts through the rule of law and the United Nations. We pledge to intensify our efforts to put an end to the US Administration's doctrine of pre-emptive attack and the reckless use of military power. We will dedicate our energies and courage in the days ahead to stop this war on many fronts. We will claim our power as citizens to determine the course of our lives, our nations, and our world and to claim our basic human rights. We support the right of women everywhere to determine their own lives—from control over their bodies, to livelihoods, to economic and political security. We will go on supporting the women, men, youth and children who in their daily lives are living and surviving the conflict, and we will work with them to transform the bitterness and brutality of war into peace.

The Women's International Coalition for Economic Justice (WICEJ), made up of 40 women's organizations in 22 countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, North America and Europe, brings together women engaged with the issues of economic justice and globalization, trade, women's rights, human rights, immigrant rights, indigenous rights, peace & security, and anti-racism. WICEJ works to link gender with macro-economic policy in both inter-governmental policy-making arenas and within social movements. WICEJ utilizes an integrated feminist analysis which links the multiplicity of systems that oppress women and recognizes the diversity of women's experience. See http://www.wicej.org for full list of members. Contact: info@wicej.org.